Main menu

The ‘I Hear You’ project is a video series that highlights the real life, word-for-word stories of refugees from around the world. As they are unable to tell their stories publicly, 14 celebrities interpretate their words. Watch the videos and hear their heartbreaking stories.

In Rwanda, 45% of people live in poverty and rely on small-scale farming. There is no gas or electricity so women and their children spend hours every day collecting water and firewood, which traps them in a cycle of poverty. We contributed to a biogas digester project that is changing many families' lives and contributes to reduce inequality for women. Find out how.

The global economy is broken. 8 billionaires own the same wealth as half the world’s population. Meanwhile, every day 1 in 9 people go to bed hungry. It doesn’t have to be this way. We can choose another future. Join us and demand an economy that works for everyone and not just the few. Share this video and sign the petition.

Andrew, once an industrious farmer from Pulka, Borno Estate, in Nigeria, found his life turned upside down when he was caught up in the conflict with Boko Haram and other armed groups in 2012. He and his family are becoming resilient and have learned to adapt to the challenges thanks to an "Unconditional Cash Program" supported by Oxfam.

Millions of people are being forced from their homes, risking everything to escape conflict, disaster, poverty or hunger. From those fleeing the war in Syria or climate change-induced droughts, to those stranded in inadequate conditions in Europe, you can help us give life-saving support to refugees in the countries where they need it most.

With no end in sight to the conflict in Syria, hundreds of thousands of people are living in desperate conditions and exposed to continuing violence. Today, half the pre-conflict population of 22 million Syrians have fled their homes and more than 13.5 million people urgently need your help.

You are here

Last chance to prevent failure in Copenhagen

These talks will fail unless rich countries deliver the money they promised two years ago to help poor countries reduce their emissions and adapt to a changing climate.

Jeremy Hobbs

Executive Director of Oxfam International

Oxfam International warned that world leaders have just two days to prevent failure at the climate talks in Copenhagen. The international agency warned that poor countries will not sign a weak deal and called on world leaders, who arrive in Copenhagen today, to make the big political decisions on finance and emissions reductions that are needed to turn things round.

Despite promising action two years ago in Bali, rich countries have steadfastly refused to make the sharp emissions reductions demanded by the science or provide the new money needed to help poor countries tackle climate change.

Jeremy Hobbs, Executive Director of Oxfam International said:

“Let us be under no illusion. We do not have the makings of a deal which will prevent climate catastrophe or protect the world’s most vulnerable people. These talks will fail unless rich countries deliver the money they promised two years ago to help poor countries reduce their emissions and adapt to a changing climate. Poor countries are ready to deliver on their side of the bargain – rich countries must show they are willing to do the same.”

“Like court magicians rich country negotiators are conjuring up a deal for their political masters which provides the illusion of action but delivers next to nothing of substance. Poor countries will not be fooled by spin – as they have already made clear they will not sign a suicide pact in Copenhagen.”

All the elements of a good finance deal are on the table – we don’t need new ideas or more talk. World leaders know what a fair and strong deal looks like. They have two days to make it happen.”

A flurry of finger pointing won’t deliver a deal now. Poor countries, who are fighting for climate action, should not be made scapegoats by rich countries who have led these talks to the brink of disaster.”

The outcome of two years of negotiations under two parallel negotiating tracks was published early this morning– key gaps include:

The scale of emissions reductions for rich countries (Annex 1) is creeping up towards 25%, however the proposals are riddled with loopholes. A real reduction of 40% below 1990 levels by 2020 is demanded by the science.

The offers of around $10 billion per year in climate finance are a fraction of the most credible estimates of $100 billion for adaptation and $100 billion for mitigation by developing countries. A rapid scale up of funding to $200 billion per year by 2020 is needed plus a guarantee that this money will be additional to existing aid commitments.

Weaker systems of review and verification have been proposed but they do not provide the assurances that are needed. A strong system of compliance within a legally binding treaty structure is the political decision that is needed.

Notes to editors

Oxfam’s Climate Advisors from around the globe are available to provide expert analysis on policy and politics of the talks. Our team of experts is liaising closely with government delegations and party to inside information on the talks.

Oxfam International Survey

Please help us to improve the Oxfam website! This short survey should take just a few minutes to complete. You can opt to make your responses anonymous. The survey will close on 13 March 2015 at 5 pm GMT. We'll pick one respondent at random to receive a $35 Good Books gift voucher by 31 March 2015. We value your feedback.